What makes Sun Creek Center 'Green'?
Sun Creek Center features many elements that capitalize on the most efficient use of energy and space, natural products to decrease toxic output into the building, and renewable solar resources captured by the solar panels on our roof. Sun Creek Center is the product of many years of planning, so that every decision considered the impact on the land and within the community in which it is located. We participate in the Climate Reality Project and are the recipient of the 2019 Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission's "Green Award" for efforts towards sustainability and green business practices in the community."
Architecture
Richard Miller of New Paltz is the architect for Sun Creek Center. He has long been an advocate for green building design and principles, even before they became mainstream. He worked together with the owner to conceive the most cost and space-efficient design possible.
Kniffen builders of New Paltz, NY are the general contractors for the project, bringing their many years of environmentally-conscious philosophies, craftsmanship and ideas to the building process. They built Sun Creek Center on-schedule and within the budget created, working with problems as they came up to develop the best building that had the lowest impact.
Solar Power & Natural Lighting
Solar Power is the most noticeable element of green technology, designed and installed by Hudson Valley Clean Energy. There are currently 18 SunPower SPR-225 Black Portrait panels along the top of the roof line collecting 4.05 kwp, covering half of the building’s energy needs. Upstairs, there is a solar inverter, which converts (or rather inverts) the current flow from the sun’s energy (DC) into usable energy for the building (AC). Units produced over-and-above the needs of the building are sent back into the grid and becomes an energy credit for Sun Creek Center.
Natural light comes into each room through well-insulated Pella windows. At the center of the building is the conference room, which has a 25 square foot skylight - opening up the sky to the room while maintaining privacy. An automatic, daylight-dimming system controls the light levels in that room by heat and motion sensing devices. When someone is out of the room during evening hours, the lights automatically shut off!
Insulation, Heating & Cooling
The building is highly insulated as the best measure for energy and cost savings. The entire exterior (“the envelope”) of the center is insulated with 2-3” of foam insulation followed by formaldehyde-free batting. The high levels of insulation also create a sound barrier from the traffic along Route 209 and the occasional signaling from the Firehouse across the road.
The heating and cooling system for the building was originally intended to be geothermal. After hitting stone ledge during excavation, it was determined that the drilling and digging necessary to continue that plan would be cost prohibitive. The system chosen is a Carrier Infinity all-climate heat pump system, which offers heating and cooling from the same principles of air-conditioning, exacting energy (heat) from the temperature differences between the interior and exterior of the space.
Sun Creek Center has a heat recovery ventilation system to maintain a steady stream of fresh-air exchange while managing the benefits of the insulation envelope. This makes for a tight, but still healthy, air space in the building.
Interior & Exterior Finishes
The use of natural materials adds to the health of the building. Examples in this building include Marmoleum flooring (made from natural linseed oil) in the bathrooms, play therapy room and reception. VOC-Free paint is used throughout. Beautiful marble at the reception area was purchased locally and installed by Barra and Trumbore. Furniture and other materials were recycled and used in the building process.
The exterior of the building is Hardie fiber-cement plank board, which is a durable and strong product made from natural ingredients including wood pulp, cement, sand and water. It is also very low in toxicity, allows air circulation, doesn’t inhibit drainage, resists mold, and is insulating against temperature and sound. Green-minded decisions consider quality materials that have a long life without needing replacement.
The Property
Sun Creek Center is located on almost 2 acres to maintain as much of the original landscaping as possible, while still allowing maximum sun exposure. With many of the beautiful, mature trees standing around it, the building is buffered from the road and a feeling of over-exposure. The boulders used in the landscaping came directly from the excavation of the building’s foundation. There is even a Fairy House development on the property, located across from the parking lot. Now that is 100% natural building!